Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

About the Role

The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs serves as the University’s chief academic and student affairs officer, providing visionary leadership across the full student lifecycle and academic enterprise. This influential executive role advances institutional excellence by aligning academic affairs, enrollment management, and student services with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and commitment to student success.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with a deep understanding of higher education, a passion for innovation, and the ability to foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and evidence-based decision-making. Working closely with academic and administrative leaders, faculty, students, and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President will shape the future of the University by strengthening educational quality, enhancing the student experience, driving enrollment growth, and ensuring operational and financial sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all academic affairs, enrollment management, and student services, ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and long-term institutional goals.
• Lead the development and execution of a unified student success strategy across the entire enrollment continuum, from recruitment and admissions through graduation, retention, and alumni engagement.
• Oversee academic quality, innovation, and accreditation efforts, including the development of new programs, assessment of existing programs, continuous quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and support senior leaders responsible for admissions and recruitment, student affairs, financial aid, counseling services, institutional effectiveness, academic innovation, and registrar functions to achieve operational excellence and student-centered outcomes.
• Serve as a key advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, providing leadership on academic and student affairs matters, participating in executive-level decision-making, and supporting institutional governance and strategic initiatives.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, accountability, and data-informed decision-making, promoting student success, organizational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and a positive campus experience for all students.

Requirements

• An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., D.O., or equivalent).
• Minimum of seven to ten years of administrative experience in a complex, private or public sector institution; experience in an academic health sciences setting is preferred.

Benefits

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Qualified faculty and staff enjoy:

• A generous employer contribution toward the medical plan.
• A 10% retirement match.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Community service time.
• Tuition assistance and professional development funding.
• Access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle.
• Paid time off and free use of wellness facilities.
• A host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

About the University

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges — the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and the College of Health Sciences. DMU offers graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, medical science, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine, and public health.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa’s capital metro, DMU provides a collaborative, student-centered academic environment. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks in board exam performance, certification pass rates, and medical residency match outcomes. Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

Our 88-acre campus in West Des Moines brings the entire academic community together in one collaborative, future-focused environment, while the Des Moines University Clinic serves patients within the DMU32 Health and Business Complex in downtown Des Moines. The state-of-the-art campus features technology-rich, flexible learning environments that support innovative teaching and connect faculty and students across all programs. Modern research facilities include a vibrant open-concept laboratory that fosters collaboration, accelerates discovery, and empowers faculty and students to advance the health sciences.